PLATTSMOUTH, Neb. — After touring the gymnasium, aerobics rooms and indoor swimming pool, Bob and Sharon Piper made their decision.

Water aerobics and lap swimming are among the activities planned at the Plattsmouth Community Center.

They signed up for a family membership at the new Plattsmouth Community Center. The $6 million, city-owned facility opened last week at 308 S. 18th St.

The center had been in the works for five years.

"It's really nice to have this here in Plattsmouth," Bob Piper said. "You've got an indoor pool, a walking track and exercise areas. We don't have to go out of town to a different place. It's all right here."

The 45,000-square-foot community center has a full-size gym for athletics and large social functions.

It has two fitness rooms for aerobics. A two-lane walking and running track loops around the upper level.

Fitness equipment, including stationary bikes, should arrive soon. Weight-lifting machines and other equipment won't be available until later in the month, city officials said.

"I am confident that people will be impressed once they see it," said City Administrator Erv Portis. "This facility is a jewel. It's well-designed, well-built. It has the amenities to make it a wonderful place to be."

The city wants to sell about 800 memberships to make the center self-sufficient.

Aside from the local schools, this city of 7,000 had no indoor, year-round recreation facility for exercise and sports.

The city's senior citizens center moved its programs into the new building in February.

For years, the Plattsmouth Senior Center occupied a century-old downtown building in constant need of repairs.

The new building's senior center wing features a dining hall, kitchen and ample space for social events. It also has a parking lot to accommodate hundreds of vehicles.

"More people are coming here because now we have ample parking right outside the door," said Carol Gray, director of the senior citizens center.

About 60 senior citizens gather daily for hot lunches. Several stick around into the afternoon to play cards. The building also has a separate room for health care screenings.

"We already have a big group of coffee drinkers who come in every day around 9 a.m.," Gray said.

City Parks Director Don Story expects community center memberships to spike now that the building is open. The city had sold about 250 as of last week.

The city distributed more than 8,000 postcards across Cass County, southern Sarpy County and Mills County, Iowa, encouraging people to join the Plattsmouth Community Center.

Monthly memberships cost $35 per person or $50 per family.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

The center is designed to serve all ages, said Beckie Vermuele, community center program director.

Starting April 14, a variety of fitness classes will begin, including water aerobics and tae kwon do for young and old. Adult basketball and volleyball leagues also will start then. In the coming weeks, the city plans to install a batting cage in the gym.

Plattsmouth High School will hold its prom in the new gym on Saturday. The center will be available for wedding receptions, birthday parties and other events.

As for the Pipers, they look forward to swimming laps in the pool, which is 10 feet at its deepest.

"I will probably do the water aerobics," Sharon Piper said. "The walking facility is really nice. We have a nice outdoor city park in the downtown, but when winter comes, this place will be wonderful."